<b>Chaos Division:</b> <I>Round 1 - Match 30</I> – (3)Ryu Hayabusa vs. (14)Jill Valentine

<b>Moltar's Analysis</b>

<b>Ryu</b>

Game/Series Known From: Ninja Gaiden/Dead or Alive Series

Extrapolated Rank in 2002: N/A

Extrapolated Rank in 2003: N/A

Seed in 2002: N/A

Seed in 2003: N/A

Wow. Talk about overseeded. No newcomer to the Contest deserves a seed so high. I mean...he's the same seed as CRONO!

<b>Jill</b>

Game/Series Known From: Resident Evil Series

Extrapolated Rank in 2002: 16th

Extrapolated Rank in 2003: 28th

Seed in 2002: 3

Seed in 2003: 11

Lost in Sweet 16 to Link in 2002 and to Squall in Round 1 in 2003.

Speaking of messed up seeds, how did Jill get only a 14? She's way better than this.

Yes, I have used this phrase about a billion times already, but it's Ceej who makes the matches, not me. With that being said, this is another match that is Contest newbie vs. Contest vet. Just like in Joe vs. Tails, the newbie is horribly overseeded. This will lead some bracket makers to go with the newbie because he is seeded much higher. But this match is one where it isn't painfully obvious that the higher seed will win. Jill has a VERY good chance of pulling off the win, not upset, win.

Ryu Hayabusa is not the biggest name on our site. Infact, the reason he probably was seeded so high is because of the other Ryu in the Contest. Some people probably put "Ryu" on their nomination list, but didn't specify which one. CJay then must have given some of the "Ryu (SF)" votes to the other Ryu and all the other Ryu votes to this Ryu. This could hurt lots. He is though in the pretty well-known Ninja Gaiden and DoA Series. And he is bound to get the "Awesome Name" vote. What, Ryu is a pretty cool name. Don't forget pic factor favors him too. How can you look at it and not smile...

Now onto Jill. In 2002, she was a pretty decent competitor. Then again, in 2002, we had TJF. Don't think it exists? Look at Tina vs. Gordon. 'Nuff said. She might have lived up to her seed in 2002, but in 2003, ouch. Going up against a powered up Squall in Round 1 is not fun. Then again, she didn't deserve an 11-seed. Ok, enough about the characters seperately, onto the match.

Usually, I would say not to worry about a Round 1 match so much. They're only 1 point. But this match is slightly different. The winner of this match will most likely win their next Round match against Sora/HK-
47. So if you get this match wrong, that's 3 points gone. Ouch. This match will be decided by 2 things. If Ryu can live up to his seeding and if Jill isn't weaker now than in 2003. The people nominated Ryu to a 3 seed, so he should get a decent amount of votes. He is also the fresher of the 2, with Ninja Gaiden just being released. But Jill is no pushover, she can muster up around 38,000 votes against her opponent thanks to her loyal fanbase. Can Ryu beat that? I think so. I won't be though if surprised if Jill beats, not upsets, Ryu.

<b>Moltar's Bracket Says:</b> Ryu will win.

<b>Moltar's Prediction is:</b> Ryu 52% - Jill 48%

<b>Ulti's Analysis</b>

I once had a rather long writeup about how Jill Valentine was going to win this, but I've rethought this match. The logic that Ryu H has a high seed simply because of his name being used as an example of how not to get characters crossed up makes no sense. If it affects Ryu H so much, then why is Street Fighter's Ryu only a 9 seed? And why didn't Breath of Fire's Ryu make the contest at all? I don't buy it anymore.
Ryu H has NES roots with the NES Ninja Gaiden games, as well as a part in the Dead or Alive series. Add in the recent success of Ninja Gaiden the Xbox title, and you have a character deserving of a 3 seed. Maybe not in comparison to everything else, but he still deserves it due to a recent, large fanbase. Another thing that I feel we're all wrong on is that Ryu H has to somehow be stronger than Master Chief to win. One, Master Chief should remain constant, while Jill Valentine's somewhat equal strength gets thrown out the window in this match. Two, Jill Valentine is a washed up slut that has been on a gradual decline for years. To think that she will retain last year's strength is a little insane, if you ask me. It won't be easy for him, but Ryu H can and should win.
<b>Ulti's Bracket/Prediction</b> - Ryu H/Ryu H with 53.77%

<b>Cena's Analysis</b>

Hmmm. Honestly, Jill should win this. Her games are more popular, she's a better character and she's female. I don't even think the new Ninja Gaiden for X-Box could help Ryu take down Resident Evil's most popular character. But look, Ryu's a 3 seed, so my guess is that a hell of a lot of casual bracket-makers chose Ryu to win, and will vote for him just to protect their brackets. That's the only reason why Ryu is could win this, because of his seed. I mean, Jill's had amazing success against Kirby and even did better against Squall than Luigi did. She has a great chance of ruining some brackets here. Jill is more recognizable and she has the advantage, and this would be the easiest thing to predict if Ryu didn't have such a high seed.

<b>Cena's Vote:</b> Jill

<b>Cena's Prediction:</b> Jill with 50.01% (Yes, folks, that close!)